We Can Do Hard Things

What if the key to understanding each other isn’t getting better at talking—but getting better at recognizing how differently our brains work? The brilliant and hilarious Hannah Gadsby joins us to talk about neurodivergence, relationships, shame, and what it really takes to meet people where they are. Hannah shares how a later-in-life autism diagnosis changed the way they understood themself—and why they describe it as an “exfoliation of shame.” - Why neurodivergent and neurotypical people can experience communication so differently - The invisible work of masking—and why a “casual” conversation can feel like a marathon - Why Hannah says we need to stop taking other people’s differences personally - How to better understand and connect with the neurodivergent people we love - Why Hannah stopped using self-deprecating humor—and what happened when they stopped apologizing for who they are About Hannah: Hannah Gadsby stopped stand-up comedy in its tracks with their multi-award-winning show Nanette, which played to sold-out houses in Australia, the UK, and New York. Its launch on Netflix, and subsequent Emmy and Peabody wins, took Nanette (and Hannah) to the world. Hannah’s difficult second album (which was also their eleventh solo show) was named Douglas, after their dog. Hannah walked Douglas around the world, selling out and scoring another Emmy nomination. Before all of this, Hannah appeared as a character called Hannah in Please Like Me (Hulu) and toured their native Australia and the UK as a stand-up comedian. They made art documentaries and did plenty of other things over the course of more than a decade in comedy, but that will do for now.  Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

Today, we remember Gloria Steinem—a woman who spent her life reminding us that we are not broken, just born into systems designed to break us. She taught us how to stay whole anyway, how to tell the truth, get free, find our people, get to work—and laugh while we work. Gloria showed us how to lead. Our turn.  Gloria, Gloria, Hallelujah.

If you've been living inside your head lately, this conversation is for you.  Glennon, Abby, and Amanda talk about the exhausting mental chatter that keeps so many of us anxious, overwhelmed, and disconnected from our lives. Glennon shares the surprising shift that helped her stop trusting every thought she had—and start finding a steadier place beneath the noise. - Why you are not your thoughts - Glennon's #1 sanity strategy - The "touch tree" practice for staying grounded - How Amanda stopped accepting assignments from strangers - The wedding-week rule that changed everything for Glennon and Abby Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

Good Grief, the album, is out everywhere this Friday, and the documentary comes to theaters nationwide September 2! Our dear friend Sara Bareilles joins us to talk about Good Grief—her deeply personal new album and documentary—and what she’s learning about grief, love, mental health, and the terrifying practice of trusting life to hold us. Sara shares how infertility, loss, and some of her hardest moments became music; why grief might be love that has everywhere to go; and what becomes possible when we stop trying to fix ourselves and start telling the truth. -Why Sara says avoiding pain doesn’t work: “It hurts anyway.” - Sara on mental health, the fear of being “too much,” and learning to trust that life will hold her -The unexpected connection between Sara’s infertility journey, Andrea Gibson, and the creation of Good Grief -The stories and meaning behind the songs and lyrics including what it means to “worship your weather” instead of fearing your feelings For everything Good Grief—the new album, documentary, and more—visit sarabmusic.com.  About Sara:  SARA BAREILLES is an award-winning singer, songwriter, actor, producer, activist, and New York Times best-selling author whose accolades include two Grammy Awards, three Tony Award nominations, and three Primetime Emmy Award nominations. As a recording artist and songwriter, she has sold more than 3 million albums and 15 million singles in the U.S., and her songs have been streamed more than 3.5 billion times worldwide. On Broadway, she composed music and lyrics for Waitress. On the screen, she executive-produced and wrote original music for the series Little Voice. She plays Dawn Solano on the Emmy-nominated musical comedy series Girls5eva. Her song "Salt Then Sour Then Sweet" appears in the Peabody Award-winning documentary Come See Me in the Good Light, on which she also serves as executive producer; the song was shortlisted for Best Original Song and the film was nominated for Best Documentary at the 2026 Oscars.  Her new solo album, Good Grief, will be released this Friday, and Sara Bareilles: Good Grief, a documentary about the making of the album—which we are very proud to be Executive Producers on—comes to theaters nationwide on September 2.  Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

Who invented gender? Who decided the rules, wrote the script, and convinced us it was all just…nature? Amanda traces the wild history of how gender became a system we call “natural,” “biological,” and “just the way it is.” Then ALOK joins to help us see the game we’ve been playing without even knowing it—and imagine what becomes possible when we stop mistaking the rules for reality. Together, they discuss the history we’ve forgotten, the freedom we’ve been denied, and the beauty, weirdness, and possibility waiting for us outside the boxes. - Why pink was once for boys—and what that reveals about the “natural” rules of gender - How property, inheritance, religion, science, and power helped construct the gender binary - Why attacks on trans people are a threat to everyone’s freedom - The difference between fitting into the world and freely inventing your life - Why ALOK says we don’t need more great thinkers—we need great lovers For more ALOK on We Can Do Hard Things:  74. ALOK: What makes us beautiful? What makes us free? 75. ALOK: How do we interrupt trauma? How do we heal? 293. The One Question to Finally Let Go of Control with ALOK  About ALOK: ALOK is an internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor whose work has captivated audiences in over 40 countries. You can catch them live on their EAT PRAY LEAVE world comedy tour.  Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

If you've ever climbed into bed exhausted only to lie awake for hours, you're not alone. After experiencing chronic insomnia, Glennon found the two sleep experts who helped her sleep again. In this conversation, Sleep Works founders Leah Corkum and Marlee Boyle explain why insomnia isn't a personal failure—it's a treatable sleep disorder—and share the practical strategies that could change your life. - Why "luging" is different from simply being tired - The surprising reason trying harder to sleep often makes insomnia worse - The four strategies that helped Glennon improve her sleep cycles. - Why Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia is considered essential treatment For more on Sleep Works, go to https://www.sleep-works.com/, and follow @sleep_works. Marlee Boyle: Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT); Certified in Clinical Sleep Health (CCSH); BSc Biology  Marlee is a registered respiratory therapist, certified in clinical sleep health. Her interests include treating sleep disordered breathing, CBT for insomnia, and sleep coaching for neurodiverse clients.   Leah Corkum: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN); Certified Child & Infant Sleep Consultant, BA Psychology.  Leah is a Licensed Practical Nurse certified in CBT for insomnia and a Child and Infant Sleep Consultant through the Family Sleep Institute. She has spearheaded initiatives like shift worker education, long-term care facility sleep strategies for staff and residents, and teaching drug-free sleep techniques to hospital staff for better patient outcomes.  Together, Marlee and Leah co-founded their company, Sleep Works in 2022 after recognizing the growing rates of sleep problems and lack of sleep services available to the public in Canada. Sleep Works provides sleep education, counseling, coaching, courses, and keynotes virtually so anyone can access support for their sleep health from the comfort of their homes. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

Sometimes the truth doesn't break a family apart—it finally sets everyone free. Kerry Washington shares the deeply personal story of discovering a long-held family secret, reclaiming her self-trust, and realizing she had spent years living someone else's story. We talk about what family secrets cost us, the difference between protection and deception, and why telling the truth can become the deepest act of love. About Kerry:  Kerry Washington is an Emmy-winning, SAG, and Golden Globe-nominated actor, director, producer, and activist. Washington received widespread recognition for her role as Olivia Pope in the hit drama Scandal. In 2016, Washington launched her production company Simpson Street, whose projects include Confirmation, “American Son”, Emmy award-winning, “Live in Front of a Studio Audience”, The Fight, and Little Fires Everywhere. Washington is a lifelong activist and founder of Influence Change (IC21), an initiative that partners with nonprofits to increase voter turnout. For her efforts, Washington has been honored as one of TIME Magazine’s 2022 Women of The Year. Washington released her first memoir, Thicker Than Water, which is available now. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

Remember Beige Flags? Today we’re celebrating the quirky little habits that aren't red flags or green flags—just delightfully... huh? In this laugh-out-loud Best Of, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda confess their own wonderfully weird behaviors, react to your funniest Beige Flags, and remind us that nobody is normal—and that's exactly what makes us lovable. - What Beige Flags are—and why everyone has them - Glennon's quest to finally feel "comfortable" - Why Abby sounds like she's from yonder yore (and answers banana phones) - Amanda's legendary collection of washed-out Ziploc bags - The funniest listener Beige Flags—and whether they're secretly red or green Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠